The Enlightenment

Why study the Enlightenment? Why study the Enlightenment? To explore the ideas and ideals of the 18 th century Enlightenment thinkers called the PhilosophesTo explore the ideas and ideals of the 18 th century Enlightenment thinkers called the Philosophes To understand how they continue to influence our basic notions about the nature of people and the world in which they liveTo understand how they continue to influence our basic notions about the nature of people and the world in which they live

How does the Scientific Revolution fit in? 17 th century—Scientific Revolution provided a new model for how problems could be solved through rational thought and experimentation, instead of on the authority of religion or the ancients 17 th century—Scientific Revolution provided a new model for how problems could be solved through rational thought and experimentation, instead of on the authority of religion or the ancients Science & rational theory became the common ground that united everyone (Catholic or Protestant) Science & rational theory became the common ground that united everyone (Catholic or Protestant) Believed that with the right use of reason, all society’s problems could be solved & everyone could live happily ever after Believed that with the right use of reason, all society’s problems could be solved & everyone could live happily ever after

Main Question of the Enlightenment How does one make mankind happy, rational, and free? How does one make mankind happy, rational, and free? Their answer: by discovering underlying laws that would organize all knowledge into a clear, rational system, allowing individuals to become enlightened, and the societies in which they live to progressTheir answer: by discovering underlying laws that would organize all knowledge into a clear, rational system, allowing individuals to become enlightened, and the societies in which they live to progress

Using S.R. for Enlightenment Thomas Hobbes & John Locke (both English) were amongst the first to use a scientific approach to study man & his society Thomas Hobbes & John Locke (both English) were amongst the first to use a scientific approach to study man & his society Hobbes: pessimistic view of nature; humans were competitive & fear is their most powerful motivator Hobbes: pessimistic view of nature; humans were competitive & fear is their most powerful motivator Locke: optimistic; men were basically reasonable & cooperative Locke: optimistic; men were basically reasonable & cooperative

Hobbes: Hobbes: All humans are naturally selfish & wicked People have to hand over their rights to a strong ruler to get law & order (social contract) Ruler needs total power to keep citizens under control Locke: Locke: People can learn from their experiences & improve themselves They have the natural ability to govern their own affairs & to look after the welfare of society People are born free & equal Natural rights: life, liberty, property Montesquieu: Montesquieu: Separation of powers Rousseau: Rousseau: Social Contract: an agreement among free individuals to create a society and government Legitimate government comes from the consent of the governed Free response writing: In what ways did this philosophes impact our government today?

Analyzing Hobbes & Locke Read the documents and underline the most important information to understand their theories Read the documents and underline the most important information to understand their theories List examples that support each theory. List examples that support each theory. Which point of view do you think is more accurate & why? Which point of view do you think is more accurate & why? How could Locke & Hobbes have come up with such different conclusions? How could Locke & Hobbes have come up with such different conclusions?

Basic Tenets of Philosophes Human society is governed by Natural Laws. Human society is governed by Natural Laws. These Natural Laws can be discovered by rational men. These Natural Laws can be discovered by rational men. Human society can turn from traditional, authoritarian forms, and progress toward a more perfect government through rational thought. Human society can turn from traditional, authoritarian forms, and progress toward a more perfect government through rational thought.

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How does Enlightenment lead to Revolution? While most philosophes thought England’s constitutional monarchy was most progressive form of govt. in England, some English colonists disagreed. While most philosophes thought England’s constitutional monarchy was most progressive form of govt. in England, some English colonists disagreed. Emboldened by Enlightenment ideas, they overthrew the English crown (American Revolution) Emboldened by Enlightenment ideas, they overthrew the English crown (American Revolution) The A.R. led to further revolutions. The A.R. led to further revolutions.

A Time of Changing ideas Scientific Method Scholars generally relied on ancient authorities, church teachings, common sense, and reasoning to explain the physical world In time, scholars began to use observation, experimentation, and scientific reasoning to gather knowledge and draw conclusions about the physical world The Right to Govern A monarch’s rule is justified by divine right A government’s power comes from the consent of the governed Relationship between ruler & state The state and its citizens exist to serve the monarch. As Louis XIV reportedly said, “I am the state.” The monarch exists to serve the state and support citizen’s welfare. As Frederick the Great said, a ruler is only “the first servant of the state.” Colonial Attachment to Britain American colonists considered themselves to be subjects of the British king. After a long train of perceived abuses by the king, the colonists asserted their right to declare independence.